I'm posting this in order to 1. Vent my frustrations and 2. Hopefully stop someone from using Sears Automotive which will not only prevent someone from angst-ridden customer dissatisfaction, but also cost Sears something around $224.56 which happens to be what they owe me.
I've been working on cars for almost 20 years. I'm not a mechanic by trade, but I am the one that my friends go to for automotive questions and advice. I also just finished a timing chain and head gasket replacement on my other vehicle. So I know a few things about cars. While on a road trip last summer my battery and alternator died. It was a Friday afternoon on a holiday weekend and I didn't have any tools with me, so I was thinking I was pretty much screwed in terms of getting serviced that day. I was towed to a Sears Automotive and a few hours and more than $400 later, I was back on the road. No big deal I thought. I went to a Sears so I should have quality parts and service (haha. Good one Sears, I didn't even see it coming).
A few weeks later I noticed typical belt squeal coming from the alternator belt. I assumed it had just needed to be re-adjusted, however it turns out the mechanic had left one of the bolts out and the alternator placement had shifted (folks: it turns out there is a reason why the "mechanics" that work at Sears were hired there rather than at a higher paying, less demanding independent shop). I didn't think this was a big deal, so I found the right bolt, and corrected the mounting of the alternator and had no problems except for a slight noise from the alternator bearing, probably caused by the misalignment with the belt.
Jump to 23,000 miles and one year later and the alternator is kaput. Dead. Deceased. Not alive. No longer charging my over-priced Die Hard or Die Harder battery. I called Sears Automotive expecting to be able to change out the alternator and bring the old one in for a replacement. What transpired over the phone was more akin to the Monty Python infamous Parrot Sketch. (This alternator is not dead. Its just stunned and shagged out after a long charge! Its pining for the fjords!) No. They insist that since they installed it, they need to be the ones that replace it. Not only that, but they will charge me to do so since the labor is out of the warranty period but the part is not. I offered to provide the car to verify the mileage, but they insisted rather adamantly that they must be the ones to repair it. I called Sears corporate to file a complaint and at first they asked if I was calling to complain about tires. (search for Sears Automotive tire complaints, folks. God help you if you ever buy tires there. I had no idea it was so bad). I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau in Chicago, where Sears is based. The case was just closed as "resolved administratively" which basically means that Sears has lobbied them not to have a negative complaint filed against them, so they will be little help. I don't think there is much I can do now except appeal to you, dear readers, in an effort to cost them a few hundred bucks.
I really thought Sears sold quality products. I don't know what surprises me more. That it isn't true, or that they won't replace/refund the part. $50 on ebay motors and one used alternator later, I am back on the road with no trouble. This is less than what I would have paid if I had Sears install another one of their DieHarder alternators.
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